About this previous year paper
This document contains the complete B.Tech (Semester IV) Theory Examination 2024–25 question paper for Basics of Data Structure & Algorithms (BOE406). The exam spans three printed pages, carries 70 marks, and comprehensively evaluates a student’s understanding of data structures, algorithm analysis, searching/sorting techniques, recursion, trees, graphs, linked lists, stacks, queues, hashing, and complexity analysis.
Section A – Short Conceptual Questions (14 Marks)
Section A consists of seven 2-mark questions (Page 1) covering essential fundamentals of DSA:
Formula for calculating the address of a 2D array element in row-major order
Built-in data types in C language
Converting polynomial function to Big-O Notation
Conditions to check queue full/empty using an array
Difference between Stack vs Queue
Basic difference between Linear search vs Binary search
Meaning and example of a Complete Binary Tree
These questions check a student’s basic theoretical clarity.
Section B – Analytical & Application Questions (21 Marks)
Students attempt any three of the given five questions (Page 1–2). These require explanation, examples, diagrams, and time–space complexity reasoning:
Algorithm Efficiency
Define efficiency, write an algorithm to find maximum in an array, and compute time complexity.
Merge Sort vs Heap Sort
Based on space complexity comparison.
Quick Sort
Full explanation of partitioning logic + recursive tracing of sorting [10, 7, 8, 9, 1, 5].
Concept of Data Structures
Importance of data structures in storing, organizing, and managing data efficiently.
Graph Representation
Construct adjacency matrix and adjacency list for graph:
Vertices: A, B, C, D;
Edges: A–B, A–C, B–D, C–D.
These questions test understanding of algorithms, graph theory, and structural organization.
Section C – Long, Higher-Order Questions (35 Marks)
Section C contains five questions, each with two alternatives, demanding detailed answers with examples, diagrams, algorithms, and reasoning (Pages 2–3).
Q3 – Recursion vs Iteration / Binary Trees
Recursive & iterative functions for Fibonacci series, including trade-offs
OR
Explanation of Strictly Binary Tree and Extended Binary Tree with diagrams
Q4 – ADT / Hashing with Collision Handling
Concept of Abstract Data Types (ADT) and its role in software development
OR
Hash table of size 10, hash function h(key)=key%10, inserting 21, 31, 41, 11 with Linear Probing
Q5 – Infix to Postfix / Priority Queue
Convert (5 + 6) * (7 - 2) to postfix & evaluate using a stack
OR
Explanation of Priority Queue with real-life examples
Q6 – Polynomial Linked List / BST Insertion
Represent polynomial 4x³ + 3x + 5 using linked list + display code
OR
Insert values 50, 30, 20, 40, 70, 60, 80 into a Binary Search Tree and draw the structure
Q7 – Circular Linked List / Radix Sort
Concept, difference from linear linked list, and function to traverse a Circular Linked List
OR
Perform Radix Sort on [170, 45, 75, 90, 802, 24, 2, 66] with digit-wise passes
These questions evaluate deep conceptual understanding, coding logic, recursion, trees, graphs, and computational thinking.
Summary
The Basics of Data Structure & Algorithms (BOE406) exam paper thoroughly covers:
Arrays, stacks, queues
Linked lists: linear, circular
Trees: binary, BST, strictly & extended
Searching algorithms
Sorting: Quick, Merge, Heap, Radix
Graph representations
ADT concepts
Hashing & collision resolution
Algorithm efficiency & complexity
Recursion & iteration techniques
Polynomial representation in linked lists
This paper serves as a comprehensive academic resource for students learning foundational DSA concepts and algorithmic problem-solving.